Chapter 46
At first, Stanley was skeptical. However, as Quinlyn solved the problem sets and systematically unraveled those cryptic equations all through her application of various formulas–even some she had never seen before—he finally started believing Leonard’s words.
Sometimes, the workings of the human mind truly vary.
“She’s a promising talent. Leonard remarked. Having encountered countless students and seen many prodigies during his time, he expressed genuine admiration for Quinlyn.
He said. “Edward, I would be more than happy to take on this student free of charge, but you must guarantee that I receive my designated teaching time and that you won’t interfere with her future,”
Leonard understood that a child like Quinlyn was capable of much more than just excelling in physics. He was concerned that Edward might have different expectations that could alter her aspirations in the subject.
Upon hearing this, Edward chuckled and assured him. “Don’t worry. As long as she wants to study physics, I won’t stand in her way.”
Satisfied, Leonard nodded and patted Quinlyn on the shoulder, saying, “Keep going; there’s still another challenge waiting for you.”
He then shot a serious glance at Curtis, warning, “This is a young star I’m keeping an eye on–don’t hurt her.”
As the sunlight faded, the living room grew darker, casting Curtis–dressed in his sharp military uniform–deeper into shadow and making him seem even more intimidating.
Having experienced the notorious training methods of this fierce coach during his childhood, Stanley still bore psychological scars.
Observing the dimming light outside, he couldn’t help but suggest, “Maybe we should wait till tomorrow. Quinlyn has to be hungry by now.”
Stanley poked Quinlyn’s back discreetly, hoping she would catch on and escape. Yet Quinlyn said nothing, meeting Curtis’s gaze with calm determination. After a brief moment of silence, they seemed to reach a mutual understanding-
Curtis was the first to move, striding toward the door. “Follow me.”
Quinlyn immediately followed without a word. Stanley was momentarily shocked, realizing they were already outside, and gasped at how silently they had moved, as if they had melted into the night like ghosts.
Stanley couldn’t help but gulp as he looked toward Edward with some concern, “Grandpa, will Quinlyn be okay given her malnutrition?”
Edward noticed the genuine worry in Stanley’s eyes and softened his expression a bit. “This is a path she must walk; no one can substitute for her journey.
He added, “She is growing up quickly; her future will undoubtedly present challenges, and if we don’t help her understand that now, it will be too late.”
Since the party, Edward had realized that Quinlyn, despite her youth, was smart and blissfully unaware of the dangers of the world; combined with her remarkable intelligence, it was inevitable that she would face significant troubles.
Therefore, today’s exercise was not just a test but a way to prepare her.
It aimed to show her the vastness of the world, that there are always others beyond herself; although knowledge may be quickly obtained, lacking physical capability will always be a major barrier.
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Chapter 46
Stanley found this approach somewhat harsh, but remembering the perilous mountain paths and the frightening events in the mall, he kept silent, staring into the dark courtyard.
The Anderson Manor looked elegant and interesting during the day, yet at night, with its many shadowy spots—especially when the lights were intentionally dimmed–it resembled a massive maze.
Quinlyn received her instructions: to use the chalk slingshot at her waist to leave a mark on her opponent. This wasn’t an impossible task. Before starting, she took a measured look at Curtis’s silver hair and sincerely suggested, “Perhaps you could
act cute.”
“Why?” Curtis replied, his deep voice full of intrigue.
“Because you will lose,” Quinlyn responded directly, unapologetically straightforward. “But if you act cute, I will show you mercy.” This was a rule Stanley had taught her earlier.
Curtis laughed at her confidence, leaning in slightly, his seasoned eyes still sharp and clear like a hawk. “You’ll be the one to lose. If you manage to leave a mark on me today, my training camp will always welcome you.”
Quinlyn had heard about it, a place filled with tough individuals. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she grabbed the chalk dust at her waist and nodded eagerly. “Alright, it’s a deal.”
She quickly turned and, in the blink of an eye, disappeared among the trees. Seeing this, Curtis couldn’t help but nod in approval. Hiding closely without revealing her presence was certainly a clever tactic.
Curtis had been watching Quinlyn since she entered, and after the initial exchanges, he realized that despite her age, her mind was remarkably sharp, showing cunning beyond her years. Some leaders in the training camp weren’t as capable as she was.
But as the head coach, Curtis’s expertise wasn’t just in combat; it lay in analyzing and exploiting the weaknesses of his opponents, striking with precision. Unfortunately for Quinlyn, he had already identified her vulnerabilities.
Hidden behind the trees, Quinlyn didn’t back down. She sensed Curtis’s extraordinary agility and presence; it wasn’t just danger–this powerful aura made it clear he was as familiar with violence as one might be with butchering animals.
The level of threat Curtis posed was something Quinlyn had never encountered, even after her many experiences in the borderlands. So, instead of rushing to conclusions about Curtis, she took a moment to observe him.
Aside from the chance that his age might affect his night vision, Quinlyn struggled to find any weaknesses to exploit. Yet standing still for too long could also attract Curtis’s attention.
Suddenly, a piece of chalk was hurled in her direction, barely missing her as she expertly dodged away.
Thus began the battle of attack and defense within the manor. Through arches and windows, the two shadows chased each other tirelessly, puffs of chalk dust occasionally spiraling into the air.
The three observers in the living room were completely absorbed, their eyes glued to the spots where the two were likely to
reappear.
Curtis had cleverly hidden his hair under a woven crown of willow, and Quinlyn had wore her dark shirt, making it nearly impossible to spot her.
Stanley’s anxiety had reached its peak; his legs felt numb as he sat on the sofa, panting. “This is unbearable. They’re moving too fast; it’s impressive that Quinlyn is so agile, but why is Curtis still so fierce?”
Such extraordinary physical prowess was simply remarkable.
Edward, equally enchanted, replied to Stanley, “Do you know what title Curtis currently holds in the training camp? The Phoenix; just the other day, he flew a fighter jet to a foreign battlefield to rescue people.”
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“Goodness.” Stanley was left speechless, worrying about the potential consequences of Quinlyn being thoroughly defeated.